The Campbells are coming, the Campbells are coming, right after they've visited the shops, the Palladium and Carnaby Street. Any place this close to Oxford Circus is bound to have the trappings of a tourist... erm... trap. It naturally gets incredibly busy because it's in this location. The place is very much an olde Englishe pub in appearance, albeit one with a transitory feel - this pub doesn't have much in the way of regulars. Still it's not that bad, with a good range of ales, solid pub grub, nice décor, some nice old prints on the walls and friendly staff. It can be a useful place to meet, if nothing else - if you can get in.

Possibly the shiniest jewel in Nicholsonâ€™s crown? Not that Iâ€™m suggesting that Nicholsonâ€™s are the king of pub-chains you realise, but itâ€™s true that this must be one of their most prized possessions. Tightly squeezed directly opposite the Argyll Street exit from Oxford Circus Tube Station, the Argyll Arms is a myriad of etched glass and carved wood screens, moulded ceilings and huge mirrors advertising beers and breweries of day gone by. The front of the pub is separated by a corridor of screens which leads to the dining area at the rear of the pub. Space can be at a premium (well what do you expect of a pub yards from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street) but there always seems to be enough bar staff on hand to ensure youâ€™re not waiting too long to order. Finding a space to drink your pint might be more of a challenge! Good range of cask ales (from Nicholsonâ€™s rotating range) and thereâ€™s also some â€śbetterâ€ť draught lagers like Pilsner Urquell if thatâ€™s your fancy. On my last visit managed a five minute chat with the jolly (and huge) Scottish landlord who seemed only too pleased to be able to take 5 from the stresses of running this place to pass the time of day with a customer â€“ not always what you get from West End pubs!